Politics & Governance
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has called a Cabinet meeting for Wednesday at 10:30 AM at the Prime Minister’s Office in Singhadurbar. Nepalnews reports that ministers will review regular agenda items. In the House of Representatives, the government also decided that Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagley will answer policy and program questions instead of the Prime Minister.
During the federal parliament session, independent MP Mahabir Pun objected to the government’s refusal to establish a Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation. He argued that science and innovation oversight should have a dedicated ministry and called for an Innovation Fund, while also raising concerns about university chancellorship arrangements.
Courts & Accountability
The Kathmandu District Court granted a four-day remand for two suspects accused of leaking the Class 12 exam question paper and answers before the test. Nirajan Shahi and Premkumar Shrestha were arrested by the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau after investigators traced the dissemination through WhatsApp and Messenger groups.
In Kapilvastu, police detained five people over alleged embezzlement of about NPR 3.8 million from Chandrawati Basic Health Service Hospital. Chandrawati Basic Health Service Hospital officials and Nepal Bank Limited are implicated in the case, following findings that filed bank vouchers did not translate into deposited funds.
Economy & Business
The government’s policy and program for fiscal year 2083/84 highlighted plans that include issuing farmer identity cards, attracting foreign investment, and introducing a zero-tolerance approach to corruption. Policy and program for 2083/84 also points to measures such as structural reforms in the Civil Aviation Authority, a proposed carbon authority, and land revenue integration.
Separately, Kathmandu Valley recorded 1,687 traffic-violation incidences, reflecting continued enforcement pressure on road safety. In trade, Nepal’s market activity reportedly increased after border tightening measures, with local goods and services seeing higher demand.
Date: May 13, 2026 (AD) | B.S.: Baishakh 30, 2083
Top News
1. सहकारीको १२ अर्ब अपचलन : परिस्थिति काबु बाहिर पुगेपछि धरानले गुहार्यो केन्द्र सरकार (www.onlinekhabar.com)
The municipality of Dharan has requested assistance from the central government due to a crisis involving the misappropriation of 12 billion rupees in cooperative funds. The situation has escalated beyond control, prompting local authorities to seek intervention to address the financial misconduct.
2. सरकारले नवप्रवर्तन मन्त्रालय खोल्न नमानेको भन्दै महावीर पुनको आपत्ति (arthasarokar.com)
Independent MP Mahabir Pun expressed his objection to the government's refusal to establish a Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation during a federal parliament session. He criticized the government's neglect of the science and innovation sector and called for the establishment of an Innovation Fund, while also expressing dissatisfaction with the provision that the Prime Minister would remain the chancellor of universities despite efforts to free them from political influence. Pun emphasized the need for a separate ministry to effectively manage science and innovation initiatives.
3. कक्षा १२ को परीक्षा सुरु हुनुअघि नै प्रश्नपत्र ‘आउट’ गर्ने २ जना पक्राउ (arthasarokar.com)
Two individuals, Nirajan Shahi (37) and Premkumar Shrestha (30), have been arrested for allegedly leaking the Class 12 examination question paper and answers on social media before the exam. They were apprehended by the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau based on communications from the National Examination Board, with investigations revealing their use of WhatsApp and Messenger groups to disseminate the materials. Both suspects are currently under investigation for offenses under the Electronic Transaction Act, with a four-day remand granted by the Kathmandu District Court.
4. नेपाल इन्भेष्टमेन्ट मेगा बैंकका पूर्व सिइओ पाण्डे पक्राउ (arthasarokar.com)
Jyotiprakash Pandey, the former CEO of Nepal Investment Mega Bank, has been arrested by police in connection with the auction of assets belonging to the government-owned Smart Cell. This arrest follows the earlier detention of Smart Cell's former managing director, Sarvesh Joshi, who is under investigation for fraud and criminal breach of trust.
5. कपिलवस्तुमा अस्पतालको रकम हिनामिना: मेडिकल सुपरिटेन्डेन्ट र बैंक कर्मचारीसहित ५ जना नियन्त्रणमा (www.ratopati.com)
Five individuals, including the chief of the health department and the medical superintendent, have been arrested in Kapilvastu for the embezzlement of approximately NPR 3.8 million from the Chandrawati Basic Health Service Hospital. An investigation revealed that despite 129 bank vouchers being filed, the corresponding amount was never deposited into Nepal Bank Limited, leading to charges of fraud and criminal breach of trust against the suspects. The arrests were made following a complaint from the hospital management committee, and authorities are continuing to gather evidence related to the organized fraud.
6. नीति तथा कार्यक्रमको जवाफ प्रधानमन्त्रीको साटो अर्थमन्त्रीले दिने (www.ratopati.com)
Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagley will respond to questions raised about the fiscal year 2083/84 policy and program, deviating from the tradition where the Prime Minister typically answers. This decision, confirmed by the Prime Minister's secretariat, comes after a discussion in the House of Representatives, where questions were raised by MPs. The policy and program were presented by President Ram Chandra Poudel during a joint session on April 28.
7. Kathmandu Valley records 1,687 incidences of traffic violations (risingnepaldaily.com)
Kathmandu Valley reported 1,687 incidents of traffic violations. This figure highlights ongoing issues with road safety and enforcement in the region.
8. Nepali market becomes vibrant after border tightening (risingnepaldaily.com)
Nepal's market has seen increased activity following recent border tightening measures. The restrictions have led to a surge in local goods and services, enhancing trade dynamics within the country.
9. वर्तमान सरकारको आगामी कार्यदिशा (newsofnepal.com)
The Nepalese government has unveiled its policy and program for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84, emphasizing a balanced approach despite expectations for aggressive initiatives. Key commitments include issuing farmer identity cards, attracting foreign investment, structural reforms in the Civil Aviation Authority, and a zero-tolerance policy on corruption. New proposals feature the establishment of a carbon authority, integration of land revenue and surveying offices, and a focus on modernizing agriculture and promoting tourism through public-private partnerships.
10. मन्त्रिपरिषद् बैठक बस्दै (nepalnews.com)
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has called a Cabinet meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 10:30 AM. The meeting will take place at the Prime Minister's Office in Singhadurbar, where regular agenda items will be discussed.
Forex
| Currency Pair | Rate (NPR) |
|---|---|
| USD → NPR | 153.31 |
| CAD → NPR | 111.82 |
| AUD → NPR | 110.78 |
| GBP → NPR | 207.53 |
| JPY → NPR | 9.73 |
Metal Prices (International)
| Metal | Price (USD/oz) | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | $4704.46 | NPR 270,465.00 |
| Silver | $86.59 | NPR 4,978.16 |
Metal Prices (Nepal)
| Metal | Price (NPR/tola) |
|---|---|
| Fine Gold (9999) | NPR 302,200.00 |
| Silver | NPR 5,710.00 |
Disclaimer
- Forex rates are sourced from the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
- International gold and silver prices are sourced from swissquote.
- Nepal gold and silver prices are sourced from Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association.
Prices are provided for informational purposes only and may be delayed, or inaccurate.
